KIT ZONE THE LATEST GEAR - TESTED BY EXPERTS

We test some of the best new kit on the market, including this £170 swimsuit

HYPERICE NORMATEC 2.0

£899.99 Dynamic pneumatic compression boots for maximising recovery

The Normatec 2.0 Legs use ‘dynamic air compression’ in order to help reduce muscle soreness and lower blood lactate levels. The patented pulse massage pattern has three functions: pulse, distal release and a gradient system, which means that the compression works its way up the leg gradually in a hold and release pattern to mimic the natural mechanism of the muscles pumping blood towards the heart. This aims to help get rid of waste products and increase the oxygen flow to the recovering muscles and extremities.

Set-up proved easy enough. Just zip yourself into the boots and connect the control unit to the hose attachment, which then slots into the hose socket on both legs. The boots have a rechargeable 1.5kg control unit, which means they’re relatively portable and can be used wirelessly.

Hyperice’s claimed two-hour battery life is pretty accurate; we found it translated to about five episodes of Friends before needing extra juice! Each leg is made up of five overlapping chambers that fill up with air and expand to compress the muscles. Leg sizes include short (>160cm), standard (163cm-191cm) and tall (<191cm), though we’d recommend sizing down as our 163cm height settled into a strange no man’s land between standard and short.

Once you’ve downloaded the free Hyperice app you can choose from seven pre-made sessions for the Normatecs, which instantly load onto the control unit via Bluetooth from a smart phone. Sessions include the likes of a short 15min ‘pre-workout warm-up’ to longer 45min ‘post-run recovery’ sessions, and there’s even a 25min ‘improve your sleep’ option.